§ 83. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are a number of men of military age throughout the country who enlisted early in the War as stokers or firemen for the Navy and have never been called up to do any naval or military duty; whether he is aware that this causes a sense of injustice in the minds of men of older age who have been called to the Colours; and whether he will inquire whether there is any prospect of these men being required for service with the Navy, and in any case see that they are called upon to fulfil some service of use to the country?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Enrolments of men for deferred service for the Royal Navy under the Navy Group Scheme did not begin until the end of 1915. Of the stokers who have been enrolled in this way, a large proportion has already been called up, and the remainder will all be called up in the course of the next few weeks.